JI stages protests against Kerry-Lugar bill, drone attacks

Islamabad

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) on Friday staged protest demonstrations in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad against controversial Kerry-Lugar Bill and continuing drone attack in tribal areas.

JI central Naib Amir and party’s candidate from NA-55 bye-elections Dr Muhammad Kamal led a demonstration at Aabpara Chowk, while JI Punjab naib amir Mian Muhammad and Islamabad amir Syed Muhammad Bilal also addressed protestors who were raising anti-US slogans and increasing interference in the country.

The protest demonstrations were held in response to call of JI amir Syed Munawwar Hasan to observe countrywide protest day on October 2 against Kerry-Lugar Bill and US drone attacks in Fata.

Dr Muhammad Kamal said the implementation of US conditions under Kerry-Lugar bill would amount to accepting American supremacy on Pakistan’s army, civil establishment, administrative and financial affairs and policies. “It is attack on our sovereignty and independence,” he said.

JI leader said the US interference in Pakistan was increasing and the American officials have issued threats to attack Quetta while the Pakistan government was not ready to change its pro-America policies. He said that the government should not show haste in implementation of conditions under the bill and should present details of the document before the Parliament.

Mian Muhammad Aslam and Syed Bilal also addressed the protest rally. They said that under Kerry-Lugar bill, the United States would have direct access to Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan and country’s nuclear programme.

JI amir Rawalpindi Raja Abdl Waheed and general secretary Shamsur Rehman Swati led a demonstration on Murree Road after Jumma prayers.

Addressing protestors, the JI leader said the US government would issue certificate to Pakistan when all conditions mentioned in the bill are fulfilled.

They said that PPP government and its allies are working for America saying the conditions of the bill were not less than a charge-sheet against the country. “The government should made public all hidden terms and conditions of the bill,” he said.

They said the activities of Blackwater and reports of establishment of mini Pentagon in Islamabad are no more secret.